Teething gels for infants that contain an anaesthetic will no longer be sold in supermarkets and high street shops in Great Britain, BBC reported.

Gels containing lidocaine - used in many of the gels - will only be sold in pharmacies from 2019.

It follows a review by the medicines regulator that found they were linked with a "very small" risk of harm and there is little evidence they work. Instead, parents have been advised to massage the gums or use a teething ring before trying the gels.

The guidance comes from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).  It said gels containing lidocaine should only be used as a second line of treatment following discussions with a healthcare professional.

The right information about teething

To help babies and children with teething, parents and caregivers should try non-medicine options such as rubbing or massaging the gums or a teething ring. We want to make sure you get the right information about teething", explained Dr Sarah Branch, from the the MHRA.

 

 

 

Dr Cheryll Adams, executive director of the Institute of Health Visiting, said "teething was a normal process".